Community Spotlight: Astronomical Society

ASLC was formed by Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered Pluto, as well as other astronomers in 1951. Today, the club has more than 100 members, including professional, amateur and novice astronomers.

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Astronomical Society of Las Cruces member Jerry Gaber peers through a 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain Meade research-grade telescope in the Astronomical Observatory at Leasburg Dam State Park in 2013. Standing left is one of ASLC's current directors Ron Kramer, and ASLC's current Outreach Chair Chuck Sterling in the background. ASLC will hold a Dark Sky Observing at Leasburg Dam State Park on Saturday, Nov. 21.(Photo: Robin Zielinski/Sun-News)Buy Photo

If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky and yearned to learn more about the stars, planets and nebulas of the universe, the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces may be the club for you.

ASLC was formed by Clyde Tombaugh, the man who discovered Pluto, along with other dedicated astronomers in 1951. Today, the club has more than 100 members, including professional, amateur and novice astronomers.

“People who are interested in astronomy can get together with those who are like-minded and learn about what goes on in the nighttime sky, or even observe planets in the daytime,” said Daniel Giron, ASLC president. “There’s a lot of people just getting into astronomy and just getting their telescope. Being a part of the society, they can get mentoring from people who have been doing this for a long time.”

ASLC hosts a variety of observing, education and public outreach programs, including a public MoonGaze at International Delights Café, 1245 El Paseo Road, once a month, public viewings at schools and events, like the Renaissance ArtsFaire, and beginning astronomy courses.

“Each month at Leasburg Dam State Park, we have a public event,” said ASLC Education Chair and immediate past president Rich Richins. “The public can come and look through a big telescope. It’s a good chance to look at objects they can’t see from the city. You can see faint galaxies and nebulas and star clusters you just can’t see here in town.”

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Jerry Gaber, a member of the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces, gazes through his telescope at the star Betelgeuse at Hillrise Elementary School in this 2008 file photo. ASLC regularly hosts outreach events at schools in which students can peer through telescopes at stars and planets in the night sky.(Photo: Sun-News file photo)

Club members also go to schools and set up telescopes for students, parents and teachers to look at planets and galaxies, Richins said.

“The first time they look at Saturn with their own eyes through a telescope, it’s an incredible moment,” he said. “I have seriously had people tell me that it was not Saturn, but that it was picture in a book; it just looked that perfect.”

Richins, who joined ASLC about 14 years ago, said while he doesn’t have a degree in astronomy, he has always enjoyed amateur astronomy.

“I can remember when I was small kid looking at Saturn and thinking it was so cool,” he said.

As a club member, Richins said he enjoys being able to share his love for space with others.

“It’s a neat thing to be able to excite other people about what excites me in the night sky,” he said.

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Once a month, ASLC hosts club meetings, which feature presentations by various astronomers or group members. Meetings are open to the general public.

“We have interesting talks every month and the people there are really knowledgeable about astronomy, and if (people) have questions, we can get them answers and if they have questions about telescopes and how to adjust it, our folks can do that,” said Bert Stevens, who joined ASLC in 1999.

Giron said he and other club members are working on ways to improve ASLC and attract more members with incentives like astronomy-related door prizes at meetings and workshops that will help people learn how to navigate their way around the night sky and learn about the constellations.

Giron said men and women of any age are welcome and that a background in astronomy is not required.

“A lot of the time we get women thinking that astronomy clubs are a bunch of old guys who sit around a telescope with cigars and shoot the breeze, but we do have female members and our vice president-elect is a woman," he said. "We’re hoping women will start seeing this is something that’s available to them as well and that they can be part of this.”

Several ASLC members also use the club as an opportunity to do research or take photographs of the night sky, Richins said.

Those who aren’t interested in joining ASLC, but want to get a close-up view of the night sky are encouraged to attend the Moongazes or Dark Sky Observing nights.

“(People) certainly hear a lot about space in the media, but they don’t often realize that space is right there, all around them,” Stevens said. “We present an opportunity for them too look through a telescope and see these objects — the nebulas and the stars are often an eye opening experience for them.”

For more information about ASLC and upcoming meetings, events and the next MoonGaze, visit aslc-nm.org.

Alexia Severson is a features reporter and may be reached at 575-541-5462 and aseverson@lcsun-news.com. Follow her @AlexiaMSeverson on Twitter.